Summer Book Club Time is here! We love hosting book clubs, and summer is one of the best seasons to do so. We’re thinking charcuterie boards accompanied by a selection of refreshing drinks (a glass of crisp chenin blanc for anyone?), along with a fantastic new summer read. Speaking of reads, make sure you check out our Summer Thrills box, it's packed with excitement!

This year’s box features a new, hardcover copy of Caller Unknown by bestselling author Gillian McAllister! Paired with five stunning gifts, this box will bring the most intense moments to life as you turn each page and experience the suspense right alongside the characters. Our surprise gifts are renowned conversation starters at any book club!

Summer book clubs are all about setting the scene: it’s time to relax, enjoy the sunshine, and add those special bookish touches that will make your book club moments even more memorable! It doesn’t need to be complicated, and you definitely don’t need a five-course menu; it’s all about adding a touch of bookish magic.

Why the bookish board beats the generic charcuterie board

Our bookish charcuterie board was a huge success and sold out in no time, but relax, we’ve got you covered with some easy ways you can elevate your board to be a bookish sensation. 

Charcuterie boards are fabulous, but a bookish board takes it to the next level. It’s about bringing your board to life and creating an experience, just like we do with our book boxes.

We think it's about building your bookish board around the story, the genre, or even a moment from your book club’s latest pick. Suddenly, your food has become part of the conversation, and of course, it gives you a chance to show off just a little.

The base build: serving board, layout, and what reads as “literary”

Just like any great novel, you need to lay the foundation. You probably already have something that’s perfect. Our Bamboo Serving Board (inspired by Scenes of the Crime by Jilly Gagnon) is perfect for cozy book club gatherings or even for your own personal night in! 

Now, for the layout. We think that just like our favorite stories, you should think in layers. I prefer to start with items like cheeses, small ramekins of flavor-packed dips, and clusters of grapes. Then I add whatever meats I am using, along with crackers (I tend to overcater but am a firm believer that you can never have too many crackers), nuts, fruit, etc. You want to create movement and points of interest, so it is best to avoid placing everything in straight lines.

Now for those bookish touches! Have you ever seen those labels they attach to toothpicks? I love using those. Create your own tiny labels and attach them to toothpicks. You can name different sections of your board after moments, places, or themes. 

Here are a few ideas we could use based on our Summer Thrills Box:

• Lucy’s Last Location: Perfect for those clusters of crackers or cheese.

• The Unknown Caller: Great for those bold flavors like spicy salami, sharp cheddar, or dark chocolate.

• No Turning Back: Delicious desserts, of course!

Cheese and Savory Bites Matched to What the Club is Reading

Cheese is like the protagonist of any charcuterie board! Bring in the supporting roles like crackers and savory bites, and you have a winning combination!

For a romance or romantasy book club, soft cheeses are definitely the perfect start. I’m thinking brie, goat cheese, or creamy camembert. These feel just a little bit more indulgent without being overly fussy. Now all you need to do is add prosciutto, buttery crackers, a few berries or grapes, and a little dish of fig jam! Don’t forget the chocolate, and now that I think about it, chocolate-dipped strawberries will do the trick!

If you’re looking for a fabulous read that combines food, family, and love, then you must add Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen to your TBR! 

Mystery and thriller nights need those stronger flavors like aged cheddar, salami, spicy nuts, and darker crackers. You can always add a touch of darkness and atmosphere with blackberries! It’s all about being edgy and making things feel just that little bit more dramatic. There are secrets, suspects, and questionable characters to be discovered!

Fantasy boards are a wonderful chance to have fun with richer and rustic flavors. I am thinking of a board that will fit right in at a tavern just before a prophecy is about to be revealed. Smoked Gouda—along with seeded crackers, dried meats, and nuts—will be perfect. To add that touch of whimsy, throw in something unexpected, like candied fruit.

When it comes to historical fiction, I’m leaning towards country-style bites: goat cheese, olives, pâté, crusty bread, and grapes. I can imagine it being served at a long table while discussing family secrets, letters from the past, and what should happen next.

Sweet and Fruit Layer for Summer

No summer board is truly ready without the sweet and fruit layer! This is where we get to add color, freshness, and a little bit of our exotic flair! Remember, here at Once Upon a Book Club, we love to curate the perfect experience, and the sweet and fruit layer is synonymous with our beautifully wrapped surprise gifts!

It’s all about balancing the richness of your cheeses and cured meats with the lightness and freshness of your fruits and sweets. Strawberries are always a winner, and they pair perfectly with brie, chocolate, and sparkling drinks. I also love using sweet cherries, blueberries, and raspberries, especially when mixed with peach slices, as the contrast in color always looks great. 

And let's not forget about watermelon. It is refreshing, easy to serve, and a simple way to add a juicy pop of color to your board, especially on those hot summer book club afternoons when everyone is pretending they came for the discussion but are absolutely staying for the snacks.

The Drinks Side of the Board

Drinks are just as important as snacks because, if your book clubs are anything like ours, quick discussions have a way of stretching into conversations that can last all afternoon or into the evening. When you’re passionately debating or swapping theories, and those “I knew it was him!” moments, you’re bound to get thirsty!

When it comes to the drinks side of the board, this is where we can have lots of fun. You can easily create small labels to attach to glass stems, tie them with a ribbon, or use removable stickers to name each drink after characters, settings, themes, or memorable moments from the book. 

For a romance, you could have a “Main Character Spritz.” For a mystery, maybe “The Final Clue” or “The Who Dunnit.” It’s a simple detail, but as they say, the devil is in the details. And that’s what everyone remembers.

If you’re looking for some literary-inspired glassware, make sure to check out our beautiful glass mug set with its small golden spoon, inspired by E.B. Asher’s This Will Be Fun. We also have fabulous champagne flutes engraved with “The World is Yours for Reading”, and then there is the ultimate whiskey glass set, the Tortured Classics Edition!

For an additional wow factor, our book-inspired plate sets are the ultimate book club decor and are bound to get lots of compliments!

Open the Wine, Open the Book, Open the Conversation

Remember, it’s all about having fun, relaxing with friends, and discussing your latest read. The snacks and drinks just add to the experience. With a few simple touches, you can transform a normal charcuterie board into a bookish feast. 

If you’re looking for a different experience this summer, give our new Lite Book Boxes a chance; we’ve found a delightful way to incorporate the five senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch) to highlight moments that will make you feel like you're part of the story in the most immersive way possible. 

Don’t forget to share your memorable summer book club moments! Happy hosting from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club!